How do Christians address controversial civic issues?
The ELCA invites you and your congregation to explore this and other questions by using "A Study Curriculum on Civic Life and Faith." View a video on this question in this post, along with a PDF guide.
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In an article and video in this post, Pastor Stephen Hilding, with Tanque Verde Lutheran Church, shares his trip of a lifetime experience going to the Holy Land in 2022.
Click here to learn more about the Grand Canyon Synod’s Scholarship for International Travel Program and apply by March 1, 2023 for the next scholarships of $6,000.
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Join us next week on Wednesday, February 15, 2023, when we welcome back the "Wonder-twins" Danielle Groth and Rev. Victoria "Vicky" Lovell. We will focus on this verse from Matthew 22:37-39, "Jesus replied: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.'" Wednesday at noon MST, 11am PST. Log in info is on the ELCA Coaching website.
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With deep gratitude, we are happy to announce that recent gifts put our total to $675,737 in gifts and pledges to our Growing Generosity Appeal. We have now only $74,263 to reach our $750,000 total. Thank you!
Stay tuned for stories of how these gifts have already been put to use. We invite you to help raise our final $75,000 by the end of 2023 through gifts from congregations, foundations, endowments, and individuals!
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This week, the Office of the Bishop travels and preaches, attends the synod council meeting, and keeps the data flowing. We also share photos from last week’s Colorado River Conference Spring Gathering, at Christ Lutheran in Las Vegas .
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For people of Turkey and Syria who grieve death and destruction following a major earthquake, and for all relief and recovery efforts…
For all clergy of color, especially those serving in white contexts and communities…
For continued vigilance, appreciation, and awe for the Black community of the United States during Black History Month…
For all in our nation struggling with rising food costs…
For those watching the Super Bowl today, that they enjoy fun and excitement–or devastation–with friends and family…
For inspiration and strength to show love in deed, word, and acts of art and beauty…
For all experiencing improvements in mental, emotional, and physical health with the lengthening daylight hours…
In thanksgiving for ongoing improvements in the COVID-19 pandemic, while also continued prayers for all affected by the virus…
For world leaders, that they hold their power with humility and care…
Conditions are improving in most of the country, with reported cases and hospitalizations both falling by more than 20 percent nationally in the past two weeks.
Note: our updates can be a week behind due to our news cycle overlapping with Thursday updates. View the latest CDC and NYTimes updates here.
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The Psalms become our words when we don’t know how or what to pray. They give hope when all we have are sighs. This month, however you’re feeling—at home, work or school—take time to sit with your feelings. Ask your family how they’re feeling, listen to one another and trust that God holds you, no matter how you feel.
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Welcome to Episode 2 of the series, Talks at the Desk, season 2. We travel to the U.S. Virgin Islands and visit several of the oldest Lutheran churches in the Western hemisphere. This episode explores the history and impact of colonialism both past and present.
We meet wise and courageous people of faith who remind us about sacred struggles of the past and the presence of God and ancestors today in the work that remains to be done.
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Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAMA) is co-sponsor of the Anti-Hunger Alliance Advocacy Day at the Capitol on March 13th, 2023, from 11:30 am – 1:00 pm at the Wesley Bolin Plaza. Complimentary lunch included. Please join us! Learn more on the lamaz.org site.
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We had an AMAZING response to our most recent opportunity to receive a grant from ELCA Disability Ministries! Our review team will soon begin the process of narrowing down the first 30 applications we received to the top 5 that will receive grants of up to $10,000.
We also wanted to share that the Youth Gathering will waive fees for the first 200 registrants who attend the tAble.
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God, our refuge, come to the aid of all in need following the devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. Give strength to those who search and wait, heal the injured, and soothe with your tender care all who cry out in grief. Merciful God, receive our prayer.
Read more resources in this post.
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Imagine measuring congregational vitality by how alive people and faith communities feel in their gathering and in their interactions with their neighbors, instead of determining success by counting the number of people attending worship or the number of dollars collected.
That’s what congregations are doing, or learning to do, throughout the ELCA in programs funded through grants awarded by Lilly Endowment Inc.’s Thriving Congregations Initiative. Congregations can apply for the Nourishing Vocation Project.
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It’s brave and smart to seek help if you’re living with stress, depression, anxiety, or mental health struggles – but accessing an in-person counselor isn’t always easy or even possible.
That’s one reason the ELCA-Primary health plan EAP benefit has expanded to include Talkspace, digital confidential online counseling with licensed therapists via text, video, or audio. Read more on myPortico.
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In this post from Lutheran World Relief, find a suite of resources to help you guide your congregation in their response, and more info at lwr.org/quake.
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We pray for The Rev. Kerry Neuhardt and the people of Church of Our Saviour in Lakeside, part of the High Country Conference. Visit their site at churchofoursaviourwm.org, and their Facebook. page.
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Lutheran Disaster Response has been active in this region for several years, partnering with ACT Alliance, the Lutheran World Federation and the Middle East Council of Churches to accompany Syrian refugees and internally displaced people with food, water, shelter, health services and sanitation support.
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A new poll by Morning Consult, released in January, showed that only 16% of Generation Z adults (ages 18-25) said they were proud to live in America.
Looking at all adult age groups, 52% said they were proud to live in America and 73% of the oldest generation, Baby Boomers, said they were proud to live in the U.S. Even millennials, the next closest age group to Gen Z, saw 20% more of its members saying they were proud to live in America, although still a minority at 36%.
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The Extravaganza, an annual gathering of children, youth and family ministry leaders from across the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, took place Feb. 3-6 in Anaheim, Calif. The event was hosted by the ELCA's Youth Ministry Network.
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